Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Sandusky Invests over $10M in New Amenities

Updates include two new restaurants, a lobby renovation and a new waterslide experience

SANDUSKY, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks, has announced an investment of $10.5M to bring new amenities to its Sandusky location. Updates to the resort include two new restaurants, a lobby renovation, and a new waterslide experience. Currently under construction, the new amenities are estimated to open by the end of year.

“2025 marks our 20th anniversary at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio,” said Brian Shanle, Resort General Manager, Kalahari Resort, Sandusky. “We have been incredibly blessed to have welcomed millions of amazing, loyal guests over two decades and are thrilled to continue to bring new experiences and amenities to enhance the Kalahari experience for years to come.”

Guests will enjoy the addition of two new dining options, a fast-casual restaurant MACS, serving handcrafted macaroni and cheese and other comfort food favorites, and Cinco Niños, a modern Mexican restaurant & tequila bar. MACS will serve a variety of unique macaroni and cheeses, such as the Jalapeño Popper MAC, Loaded Baked Potato MAC and Buffalo Chicken MAC. A Wisconsin-based fast-casual chain started in 2013, MACS has not only grown to multiple locations throughout the Midwest but also opened its doors at the Kalahari Resorts’ Round Rock, Texas location in the winter of 2023. Due to its success there, Kalahari is opening MACS restaurants at not only the Ohio location but also the Pennsylvania resort.

Cinco Niños is an exciting new modern Mexican eatery and tequila bar. Cinco Niños first opened at the Kalahari Resorts’ Round Rock resort and expanded to Pocono Manor, Wisconsin Dells, and now Sandusky. The signature restaurant will feature Mexican favorites including quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas, and tacos. The restaurant will also feature a full-service bar, offering signature tequila and mezcal drinks such as the Millionaire’s Margarita and the Spicy Watermelon Martini.

"Culinary excellence is one of the foundational elements that make Kalahari Resorts so special. We could not be more excited to add MACS and Cinco Niños to our already fantastic signature restaurant roster, including Sortino’s Italian Kitchen and B-Lux Grill & Bar," said Shanle. “Of course, all of our dining experiences are available to not only our overnight guests but the public as well!”

The multimillion-dollar renovation also includes the addition of a new indoor waterpark experience, named the “Dawn Breaker.” The only one of its kind in Northeastern Ohio, this exhilarating two-person slide features a heart-pounding "boomerang" effect, as riders wind through the night to the dawn of a new day, chasing an African sunrise.

For more information, please visit the Kalahari Resorts media site at kalaharimedia.com.

About Kalahari Resorts and Conventions

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Sandusky, Ohio, the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, Round Rock, Texas, and opening soon in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, deliver a beyond-expectations waterpark resort and conference experience all under one roof. The authentically African-themed Kalahari Resorts, privately owned by the Nelson family, are home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks. Todd and Shari Nelson, the founders of Kalahari Resorts, were honored with an induction into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame in 2023. All Kalahari Resorts feature well-appointed guest rooms and suites, the full-service Spa Kalahari, a fun-filled family entertainment center, on-site signature restaurants, unique retail shops and a state-of-the-art convention center. For more information, members of the media are encouraged to visit kalaharimedia.com.